Spend my money lightweight rifle

[Walker6]

Looking for a Very lightweight 243 or 6mm arc backpacking bolt gun for when I am scouting for my deer and elk hunts in Arizona. I will also use it sometimes to call coyotes. I want it 5.5lbs or lighter, preferably under 5lbs. I am aware of the Tikka superlite and Ruger American at 6lbs. I would like to be lighter. I will put a Accupoint 3-9 scope on it at 13oz. Right now I am considering a Gen 2 Howa Superlite in 243 or the new Howa Carbon Elevate in 6mm arc. Wondering if I have missed another option. I love all the ammo choices in 243 and I have a AR15 in 6mm arc so I could consolidate ammo since that shoots ELDX 103gr. I will shoot supressed with a 10oz Dead Air Nomad TI. Thank you for the input.

Howa Mini 6 Arc 22” sporter in a Stocky’s CF:


Get the pieces when they’re on sale and you should be able to stay under $800.

Or spend about three times that and find you a Barrett…

18”


The FC is light as a feather and shoots like a damn Tikka.

It’s your money - just here to help

 

[AZsniper]

@AZsniper and I went and shot some of my Tikka and Howa Mini in .223, 22 ARC, 22 BR, 22 creed, 6 arc and 6 creed.

Recoil kinda follows that order of cartridges, with bullet weight and powder charge second.

For those with the Howa Mini, getting the action screws tightened so that it doesn’t cause stress and open up groups is critical. My 22 BR was shooting 2-3 inch groups, so I pulled the barreled action and retightened starting with snugging the rear then the front and alternating slowly till 45 inch lbs. It shot MOA again.

A Howa mini build with # 1 contour preferred barrel and Stocky’s VG is right at 5 pounds with magazine.

Stephen, thank you for your time today and I can’t wait for my rifle. I wanted a coyote/scouting gun that was lightweight and accurate. Cant wait for you to build me my 22arc and I can’t believe you got that done at 5lbs with a Preferred barrel.

If you are in Arizona and having accuracy issues or want a custom rifle you should reach out to Stephen.

 

[AZsniper]

Howa Mini 6 Arc 22” sporter in a Stocky’s CF:
View attachment 1067241

Get the pieces when they’re on sale and you should be able to stay under $800.

Or spend about three times that and find you a Barrett…

18”
View attachment 1067242

The FC is light as a feather and shoots like a damn Tikka.

It’s your money - just here to help

Walker, the issue with just swapping the stock is that you are left with a 20 or 22in barrel in a very light stock. The gun isn’t balanced. I only shoot suppressed, so add 7inches and now you are hunting with a 26-28in barrel is a nightmare to carry around. Free hand shots are next to impossible. I could have the barrel cut but by the time I do all that and add that cost I could just have Stephen build one with the WAY better Preferred 16in barrel and Stephen gives me a 1in 10 shot group guarantee. Your way with the Howa is cheaper, but not practicable for hunting. But I am glad it works for your purposes.

 

[Walker6]

Walker, the issue with just swapping the stock is that you are left with a 20 or 22in barrel in a very light stock. The gun isn’t balanced. I only shoot suppressed, so add 7inches and now you are hunting with a 26-28in barrel is a nightmare to carry around. Free hand shots are next to impossible. I could have the barrel cut but by the time I do all that and add that cost I could just have Stephen build one with the WAY better Preferred 16in barrel and Stephen gives me a 1in 10 shot group guarantee. Your way with the Howa is cheaper, but not practicable for hunting. But I am glad it works for your purposes.

Haha, actually it didn’t work for me either. I sent it down the road, but if I had kept it, I would’ve absolutely chopped it to 18 inches or less and threaded it for a can. (It did shoot nicely though.)

And you’re right about Stephen’s wares. Here’s a 6 Arc he just spun up for me. The Tikka with the factory stock is a bit heavier than the Howa, but the lite hybrid has a nice balance.

 

[AZsniper]

The Tikka is smoother and nicer for sure. I went with the Howa because I am 52 and now trying to keep up with my 20 year old boys on the mountains. For my elk gun I will have Stephen use a Tikka action.

 

[DoubleDown]

Chasing to save ounces when in 99% it won’t make difference, just a fetish been spread in community for decades.

 

[AZsniper]

Chasing to save ounces when in 99% it won’t make difference, just a fetish been spread in community for decades.

I disagree. Saving over a pound on a rifle you are going to carry all day makes a huge difference.there are so many opportunities to take a poke at coyotes and my lions in northern AZ while scouting for Elk and Deer hunts.

 

[surfr716]

Walker, the issue with just swapping the stock is that you are left with a 20 or 22in barrel in a very light stock. The gun isn’t balanced. I only shoot suppressed, so add 7inches and now you are hunting with a 26-28in barrel is a nightmare to carry around. Free hand shots are next to impossible. I could have the barrel cut but by the time I do all that and add that cost I could just have Stephen build one with the WAY better Preferred 16in barrel and Stephen gives me a 1in 10 shot group guarantee. Your way with the Howa is cheaper, but not practicable for hunting. But I am glad it works for your purposes.

i can vouch for his barrels, mine is unbelievably accurate in such a light rig, and the velocities are night and day faster than with the stock howa i took off. seemed like a really good guy to work with as well

 

[surfr716]

Chasing to save ounces when in 99% it won’t make difference, just a fetish been spread in community for decades.

ounces make lbs, lbs make pain. when i started doing high buck my gear all in was close to 70 lbs, mostly surplus stuff and the cheapest gear rei had coupled with a 12 lb rifle and an ancient spotter and aluminum tripod that was great for photography but weighed a ton.

Now my gear is about halved in weight and i can spend longer in the field and am able to hunt more efficiently the day after a pack in. my pack out when successful is usually one less trip as well. if youre camping near your rig, im sure it doesnt matter and creature comforts are nice but thats not how all of us choose to do it.